The planned meeting between Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his predecessor Macky Sall—arranged to secure Senegal’s backing for Sall’s UN secretary-general bid—has ignited fierce debate across the nation.

Reopening old wounds

For families affected by the 2021-2024 crackdown on protests, Sall’s return to Dakar has reopened painful scars. Seydi Gassama, who represents 67 presumed victims in legal proceedings, views the encounter as deeply troubling.

“It’s not that Macky Sall’s return bothers us—points out the director of Amnesty International Senegal. He’s a Senegalese citizen and has every right to visit. What truly disturbs us is that President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, despite his promises, has yet to deliver justice for victims of Sall’s administration. No legal accountability has materialized, yet now the president is hosting Sall to endorse his UN candidacy. This represents a complete betrayal of those who suffered.

Election promises unmet

During his campaign, President Faye vowed to prioritize justice for victims of state violence. Yet over two years into his term, no trials have been initiated and compensation remains minimal—a failure lamented by victim advocacy groups nationwide.

Human rights organizations argue that Sall’s controversial legacy disqualifies him from global leadership. Gassama insists his UN candidacy contradicts the fundamental values the international community claims to uphold.

APR’s perspective

Leaders from the Alliance for the Republic (APR)—Macky Sall’s former party—dismiss the victims’ criticisms as exaggerated.

Political analyst Assane Samb suggests this meeting between the current and former presidents could reshape Senegal’s political landscape.

“President Faye has distanced himself from his original party, Pastef, to establish his own political movement. The implications of this meeting extend beyond national reconciliation—they signal potential alliances between Faye’s new party and traditional opposition groups. This could create a united front against the still-powerful Pastef bloc.

Unanswered questions from Pastef

Neither Senegal’s presidency nor Pastef—the party founded by Ousmane Sonko—has issued an official statement regarding Sall’s upcoming visit.

This would mark Sall’s first return to Dakar since relinquishing power in April 2024 after 12 years in office. Notably, his UN secretary-general bid was submitted by Burundi rather than Senegal, despite Burundi currently holding the rotating African Union presidency.

By late March, nearly two dozen African Union members—including Senegal—had declined to support Sall’s candidacy to succeed António Guterres.